EDEN PARK,AUCKLAND,7pm,Saturday,18th March,2023
Bad news comes in bunches – just ask the dinged up Crusaders.
Already in a tough spot to start their title defence after losing two of the last three games, they’ve been rocked by a couple of season-ending injuries, and more could yet follow.
Scratch All Black tighthead prop Fletcher Newell (foot) and lock Mitchell Dunshea (chest) for the remainder of the campaign, blows confirmed on Tuesday ahead of their crunch match against the Blues at Eden Park this weekend. Jack Goodhue, Will Jordan, Cullum Grace, George Bell, are also missing with injuries. My spies in Christchurch tell me Bell is cooked for the season with a broken ankle.
This means they’ve lost their top-two tighthead props – Oli Jager (neck) could return at the back end of the season –Newell, and abrasive lock Dunshea for a second straight season.
Now, the Crusaders are crossing their fingers in the hope midfielder and vice-captain David Havili’s arm injury isn’t of the long-term variety. Havili, the team’s vice-captain, was set for a stint on the sidelines with an injured AC joint in his left shoulder and will be out for a few weeks. Havili has just recommitted to NZ. Rugby for two more years.
Havili’s absence will be felt against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday, but the centurion’s decision to remain in New Zealand after this year’s World Cup is significant for both the Crusaders and All Blacks ahead of the next cycle.
The 22nd centurion in Crusaders history has played 25 tests for the All Blacks, the majority after fighting his way back into the national side as a midfielder in 2021.
Havili was hurt early in last weekend’s 25-24 defeat to the Drua in Lautoka and was spotted with his left-arm in a sling after the match. Having rested a bunch of All Blacks, they made far too many mistakes in the sapping heat, including Whitelock spilling the ball over the line and rookie halfback Noah Hotham dropping the restart in the final minute, which would have all but secured a two-point win.
Crusaders: Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Sione Havili Talitui, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, George Bower, Zach Gallagher, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Pepesana Patafilo, Macca Springer.
Meanwhile the Blues also have problems and have lost a pair of All Blacks to injury in the process, with lock Patrick Tuipulotu (grade 2 MCL, four weeks) joining Akira Ioane on the sidelines with a knee injury. It’s notable that Beauden Barrett is kicking a lot for the Blues through the early rounds, and some of his touches were short of his own high standards against the Canes. He will need to improve against Richie Mo’unga, the Crusaders 10 this week. They also need to be wary of what’s coming in the aerial set piece this week. Last time the Blues hosted the Crusaders at Eden Park they lost 10 on their own throw, and their shot at a Super Rugby title with it. All the kiwi sides are tough to beat, and there always a little extra spice, none more so than these two teams.
The Blues have handed the rugged and mobile Adrian Choat a crack at blindside flanker in Saturday’s final rematch against the Crusaders at Eden Park.
With Akira Ioane out for another month or so with a knee injury and Tom Robinson moved into the second row (bench duty this week) to cover for the absence of Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Darry, who both also have knee problems, coach Leon MacDonald has gone for twin No 7s in the form of skipper Dalton Papalii and Choat on the side of his scrum. He’s also brought former All Black Alex Hodgman in to start at loosehead prop and called up James Tucker to partner Cameron Suafoa in the second row, with Robinson set to slot in off the bench on Saturday.
All Black Mark Telea returns after a week off on the right wing to complete an all-international unit.
The bench features hooker Soane Vikena, prop Jordan Lay, loosie Taine Plumtree and utility back Zarn Sullivan all set to make their first appearances for 2023.
Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii (c), Adrian Choat, Cameron Suafoa, James Tucker, James Lay, Ricky Riccitelli, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Tom Robinson, Taine Plumtree, Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan.
I think the Blues are favorite to take this one, since its a home game, and the Crusaders have a lot of injured players but as an ex Cantabrian I can not go past the Christchurch mob. It will be very close I think, and the bench players could be the difference, or maybe a yellow card or two.
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Hannon
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